librarygirl
Look It Up
My first attempt at cycling my tank was catastrophic, but being a perfectionist, stubborn, and someone with OCD, I decided to try again with a new setup. And I had to do it ASAP (hence the OCD lol).
So, take II.
Here's what I have:
20 gal Top Fin tall glass aquarium (24.2"w x 12.5" d x 16.7" h)
New canopy and light (MUCH better lighting and door access to the tank)
Fluval U2 filter for 12-30 gal (2 foam/carbon pads and in the middle is a "biomax" cartridge which looks like some sort of ceramic or clay pieces)
Black aquarium gravel
Fake plants
1 large decor piece
A few aquarium rocks
Air pump and air stone
The only thing I'm using from my old tank is the heater (thoroughly rinsed) since it's fairly new and the air pump.
I filled it with water (Prime treated - bought a new bottle) and it's running now. I haven't added ammonia yet but will in a bit. I filled the tank too fast (again) and there are bubbles stuck to EVERYTHING in the tank but I'm hoping this is OK (last pic below).
I definitely need to get an automatic siphon if this tank works out; lugging buckets for a 20 gal is much less "fun" than for a 12 gal lol
I soaked/rinsed the entire tank and all the decor in hot water.
I'm worried about the gravel. I learned that black gravel is messy. Many small particles were rinsed out in a colander but it's impossible to get them all. Some are floating on the top of the tank. I'm hoping in the x weeks it tanks to cycle this thing they'll all float to the top and I can just take them out with a net and it'll be OK?
Pics below (after about 3 hours. My back hurts! And I still need to figure out how to get all the little pieces of black particles from the substrate out of my tub).
Am I missing anything?
Here we go....again. Fingers crossed.
So, take II.
Here's what I have:
20 gal Top Fin tall glass aquarium (24.2"w x 12.5" d x 16.7" h)
New canopy and light (MUCH better lighting and door access to the tank)
Fluval U2 filter for 12-30 gal (2 foam/carbon pads and in the middle is a "biomax" cartridge which looks like some sort of ceramic or clay pieces)
Black aquarium gravel
Fake plants
1 large decor piece
A few aquarium rocks
Air pump and air stone
The only thing I'm using from my old tank is the heater (thoroughly rinsed) since it's fairly new and the air pump.
I filled it with water (Prime treated - bought a new bottle) and it's running now. I haven't added ammonia yet but will in a bit. I filled the tank too fast (again) and there are bubbles stuck to EVERYTHING in the tank but I'm hoping this is OK (last pic below).
I definitely need to get an automatic siphon if this tank works out; lugging buckets for a 20 gal is much less "fun" than for a 12 gal lol
I soaked/rinsed the entire tank and all the decor in hot water.
I'm worried about the gravel. I learned that black gravel is messy. Many small particles were rinsed out in a colander but it's impossible to get them all. Some are floating on the top of the tank. I'm hoping in the x weeks it tanks to cycle this thing they'll all float to the top and I can just take them out with a net and it'll be OK?
Pics below (after about 3 hours. My back hurts! And I still need to figure out how to get all the little pieces of black particles from the substrate out of my tub).
Am I missing anything?
Here we go....again. Fingers crossed.